(Auraria) Director of People Ops/Human Resources

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Auraria Higher Education Center is seeking a dynamic Director of People Operations/HR to provide overall strategic human resources leadership for the agency. This role involves guiding managers, supervisors, and employees in alignment with the AHEC Strategic Plan. The Director will oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of human resource policies, programs, and services, encompassing recruitment, selection, retention, legal compliance, employee benefits, employee relations, performance management, training, and service awards. Additionally, the Director will manage the staff and operations of the Human Resources Department, ensuring a customer-driven and responsive program. This position also includes overall administration and management of the AHEC payroll program and oversight of associated HR systems. This is a Non-Classified position eligible for hybrid work after an initial training period, with a schedule that may include up to 2 days remote and at least 3 days in the office.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Personnel Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
Seven (7) years of full-time professional work experience that includes interpreting rules, determining salaries in accordance with compensation plans, coordinating selection and classification activities, and advising supervisors and managers on corrective and disciplinary issues.
A minimum of three (3) years supervising other HR professionals.
Experience with the Colorado State Personnel System.
Experience using the UKG human resources information system.
Must be a state of Colorado resident at the time of application.
Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality, consistently contribute to a positive environment, and professionalism.
Must be able to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, virtual meeting tools, and digital filing systems.

Nice To Haves

Prior HR experience with a State of Colorado entity or Institution of Higher Education.
An advanced degree in Personnel Management.
Professional full-time experience in a union setting.
Demonstrated experience and success in change management and continuous process improvement.
Experience with human capital management systems.
Ability to build modern, scalable HR processes and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the staff, operations, and service delivery of AHEC’s Human Resources Department, providing comprehensive HR services and supporting multi-department reception operations.
Oversee employee wage and salary administration, ensuring compensation practices are administered accurately and consistently.
Direct and supervise the AHEC payroll function, ensuring accurate and timely administration of biweekly and monthly payroll and related pay advice.
Oversee benefit deductions, year-end W-2s and related reporting, payroll processing within the MIP system, and integration of automated payroll systems with the overall financial system.
Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on performance management, organizational development, workforce initiatives, and other high-level organizational priorities.
Evaluate internal and external operations and collaborate with executive leadership to identify opportunities for efficiency, improvement, and organizational development.
Advise AHEC management on employee relations and employment matters that may require corrective or disciplinary action.
Provide guidance regarding employee terminations and oversee the termination process to ensure compliance with applicable requirements and AHEC policies.
Administer AHEC’s Colorado delegation agreement in the areas of recruitment and selection, job evaluation, performance management, personal services, corrective and disciplinary actions, compensation, and benefits.
Educate and advise employees and supervisors on performance management, planning, and evaluation processes.
Oversee employee and personnel-related training programs, including training on sexual harassment, workplace violence, and other required or agency-specific topics.
Lead and administer an effective agency-wide performance management program.
Monitor departmental compliance and ensure performance planning and evaluations are completed in a timely and consistent manner.
Develop and refine evaluation tools, processes, and methodologies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of performance management.
Develop and recommend AHEC personnel policies and procedures and oversee the implementation, administration, and ongoing maintenance of approved policies and procedures.
Advise AHEC management on compliance with federal and state employment, benefits, compensation, and training laws and regulations.
Represent AHEC in legal hearings and coordinate with legal counsel and appropriate executive staff on high-exposure and high-risk employment matters.
Serve as the AHEC Trustee for the Colorado Higher Education Insurance Benefits Alliance (CHEIBA) Trust for non-classified staff employee benefits, including plan design, rate setting, contract renewals, and policy development.
Coordinate these efforts with the CEO to ensure benefits programs align with AHEC’s organizational requirements.
Review and approve AHEC Personal Services Agreements to ensure compliance with applicable state requirements and AHEC policies and procedures.
Serve as AHEC’s Equal Employment Officer, conducting and overseeing employee investigations and coordinating appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and AHEC policies.
Lead and administer comprehensive human resources programs and functions, including workers’ compensation, disability, FAMLI, FMLA, FLSA, PERA, employee training and orientation, unemployment, and exit interviews.
Lead the administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, insurance, 401(k), and leave programs, including leave balance tracking and leave requests.